Nationally in 2013, women made up 12 percent of sworn police officers, according to most recent data of the Bureau of Justice Statistics. In 1987, when the bureau started tracking the number of women in policing, they made up 8 percent of sworn officers.

Today, 62 sworn female police officers work in departments on the Cape and Islands. They make up 9.5 percent of officers here.

An American documentary detailing the history of race in America. Truth telling at its finest. Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson. As we move into 2017 we seemed to have hit the reset button on racial progress.

The anticipated date of appointment for this selection process is April 17, 2017. Date subject to change. Letter of interest, Professional Resume and Town of Durham Employment Application must be received by Captain David Holmstock by

5:00 pm Friday, February 3, 2017 at

Durham Police Department

86 Dover Road

Durham. New Hampshire 03824

Boston Trades Assessment Center @ RCC. An intro to Building Trades Program designed for 18-26 yr olds pursuing a career in the construction trades. For more info contract Greg Mumford 617-445-8887 ext. 102

A post from a someone I call a friend and an insightful person was put on Facebook. It asked, "Decades removed from the civil rights movement, would you have just stood around, would you have helped suppress other's rights or would you have stood up to oppression? What is your place in the ongoing struggle for social justice"?

I am very thankful to an Administration wise enough to see the purchasing of software to monitor social media activity was not the best use of our resource dollars. Also that it could be used in a manner outside of what it was intended for. Prying eyes on Facebook and Twitter for no reason connected to terrorist activity is a nightmare waiting to happen.

Remembering Police Officer Rupert
"Omar" Leonard. Omar was the epitome of "
community policing". Omar walked that Bowdoin
and Geneva Street beat with pride and dignity, and if anyone needed anything he was there. He knew every shop owner and clerk, kid hanging on the corner, family in the area. He had the tenants of community policing because he was one of the founding officers of the Boston Community Policing Program, and he participated in an exchange program with an officer from Glasgow, Scotland. Even though Omar has gone on to "glory", he will be missed. May he rest in peace.

Congratulations to Deputy Superintendent Marcus Eddings on your new position. We wish you all the best on our new journey within the Department. We send our very best to Detective Gus Irby, Lieutenant James Chin, Sergeant Det. Marcie Perez, William (Sandy) Woodley, and Police Officer Marc Buchanan retiring after years of service with the Boston Police Department.

We send condolences to Detective David Singletary on the death of his father, Mr. Edward Ronald Dukes. Duke was an experienced and "beloved" barber in the community, who will be missed. Condolences and prayers also go out to Sergeant Det. Larry Hoffman on the death of his mother, Mrs. Ethel Hoffman as well as condolences to Police Officer Troy Caisey on the death of his canine, "Bronson". May they rest in peace. Please keep (Retired) Police Officer Paul Gaines in your prayers as we wish him a speedy recovery.

I want to say thank you to Deputy Chief Shumeane Benford, Department of Public Safety and Chief Kenneth Green, (MBTA) who took time out of their busy schedules to spend a morning with us on the radio show. It was very well received. Check it out on our website.

Respectfully,

Denise DePina Reed, Chairperson

A Message from the President

Larry Ellison, President of MAMLEO

When we turn the clock back nearly three years ago we were full of optimism. We elected a new mayor, which many envisioned would be a fresh

start. It's like hitting the

re-set button on plenty of broken

promises from yesteryear. A new Mayor, new dreams and a new vision. The Mayor's message was loud and clear; he wanted a city government to work for everyone. This was music to our ears. During the last administration our aspirations weren't mind blowing for any sensible human being. Equitable treatment is what we desired, not much to ask for right? At the close of the Menino Administration many things came to fruition, but so many issues were left unaddressed. As the elected Mayor ushered in his new "command staff", people around town were optimistic and rightfully so. Although many in that command staff were "holdovers" from the previous regime, there were new faces that resembled us. Unfortunately, that is where the comparison has stopped.

As the Commissioner assumed head of the Department he made several promises. He ensured our members a change in the culture starting with "diversity" throughout. The Police Commissioner promised to break up the monopoly in the specialized units. In addition, he assured us he would place minority commanders in those specialized units. Fast forward to the future, the Homicide, Gang Unit, Drug Control Unit and the Fugitive Unit and any other specialized unit one can think of is headed by a white male. In fact, the unit commanded by a person of color is the Civil Rights Unit. Isn't it sort of ironic that this is the lone unit we are charged with commanding, considering civil rights is essentially what we are advocating. Not to mention that police officers of color and women in these units continue to be nearly non-existent; all issues that can be reconciled with a stroke of a pen.

For a person who discusses the Department's grand "diversity" at every clergy coalition meeting he encounters, the Commissioner has left us baffled. He has fought us at every opportunity imaginable up to the Smith case. The Smith case calls for the promotion of several minority sergeants to the rank of lieutenant due to a discriminatory promotional exam, which in turn resulted in a "disparate impact". The Commissioner went so far as testifying in federal court regarding the role of the Superintendent-in-Chief. During this testimony he referred to the Chief's role as sort of the Ambassador for the Police Department. We can assure you this is the first time in the Department's history the Chief's role has been described in this manner. A Chief on the Boston Police Department has historically been charged with the day-to-day operations, nothing more nothing less. Furthermore, the Police Commissioner stated, "unfortunately" the city wants diversity therefore this is the reason he placed the Chief in that position.

In the near future there will be some command staff retirements. Many will just move on to other endeavors. The "gab" around town is not very encouraging. The top spot at the Bureau of Field Services is already occupied and not one person of color was ever considered. Three years after our initial optimism we are wrestling with the same issues. So much for the new dreams and new vision. The question we must ask ourselves are we better off today?

Our thoughts and prayers are with their families as well as the extended family of brother and sister officers in their time of sorrow. May they rest in peace.

Updates

If you were sleeping on Thursday, January 12, 2017 Councilman Tito Jackson made his intentions known he was seeking the office of the Mayor. Whatever one might think of Mr. Jackson at that press conference he was focused, on point and delivered some shots that should have been heard and felt all the way to City Hall. It will be interesting to see how this Mayoral race plays out. Stay tuned.

Ageism is playing out at one of my favorite Clubs in Boston. There are only a few places left to hear "jazz" in Boston. This was a town where Jazz was swinging on just about every corner. I was devastated to hear that Scullers had let Fred Taylor (Mr. Jazz) go. Mr. Taylor had owned the Paul's Mall and the Workshop before becoming Director at Scullers. He was responsible for bringing in such performers as Wynton Marsalis, Walter Beasley, Nelson Rangell, and Maysa to name a few. The reasoning for his departure, "they said he was doing the same old thing". What they meant is they are looking to bring in the millennials, more "funk" and less "jazz".

Puerto Rico's Governor, Ricardo Rossello after being sworn in will ask voters whether they prefer "statehood" or independence. He states, "The United States cannot pretend to be a model of democracy for the world while it discriminates against 3.5 million of its citizens in Puerto Rico".

The African American Museum has been asked by Senator Ted Cruz to add Chief Justice Clarence Thomas as his contributions have been omitted, and he is the longest serving African American justice. Senator Cruz writes that a mistake has been made by omitting the legacy and impact of Justice Thomas as well as his compelling background. What he fails to mention is that Justice Clarence hated Affirmative Action with a passion. Black America found no friend in him. The only mention of Justice Thomas is the single accusation of Anita Hill at the Senate confirmation twenty five years ago.

Eugenie Harris Fitzhugh passed away on December 29, 2016 at the age of 91. Ms. Fitzhugh was the first Black woman Federal Court Reporter. She was fluent in five languages. At a young age she decided to pursue a career as a court reporter while she was living in Washington, D.C. Because of her color she was denied admission by a school that offered a program in stenotype, so she purchased a used stenotype machine, instructional books and tapes and taught herself at night. She became a Registered Professional Reporter . After working in the Massachusetts Superior Court she eventually was hired to serve Judge W. Arthur Garrity in the United States District Court becoming the first Black woman appointed as an official court reporter in the federal court system.

Meet Police Officer Seth Parker. Officer Parker is a mentor and a Big Brother. Read Officer Parker's story of how and why he became involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters has received approval to partner with the Boston Police Department to start our Bigs in Blue Program in Boston. At this time they have over 600 children, many persons of color looking to partner up with a mentor. Perhaps you have 2 hours a week to give a child.

I want to write a response to "Being thankful this Christmas" an article featured in the December edition of the Pax Centurian. Please understand I take no issue with giving "thanks or with the Union President, Pat Rose. But I do take issue with the rumors and subtle remarks describing the actions on the night of October 12, 2016.

If a person was to read that article in some office, not being privy to "police culture" one might come to the conclusion that if it were not for the actions of "one" lone officer two officers might have perished.

From what I have heard, on that fateful night when Richie Cintolo and Matt Morris were down and fighting for their life, they were not alone. There were five men in that basement. Thank God for that! One of those men became an "in the field" medic using a tourniquet to stave off the the blood gushing from a wound. He also stuck his finger in the bullet hole to stop the blood.

Another officer while giving commands and tending to a wounded colleague, made the decision to get those men out of that basement to cover and medical attention. While the other two covered them and helped remove Richie and Matt from the basement. So while I absolutely and wholeheartedly agree that Police Officer Eric Schmidt actions were heroic in neutralizing the threat. He wasn't alone.

You may agree but feel we should let this play out and not say anything. Maybe you are right but this is what I think about you. You are some of the finest and most honorable people I have ever had the opportunity to work with. You are dedicated, work hard, contribute much and are just as important. Your sacrifices and contributions demand to be recognized and not in some "
off hand" manner. That article is the same
"slight" that was given to the Simmonds Family for their son's ultimate sacrifice.